New member - having trouble regulating

[jenyeak]

Kitter is a 12 year old male cat, who was diagnosed with diabetes in February 2022. We are still in the process of finding the right dose and have yet to get him regulated. He is currently receiving 5 units of Vetsulin BID, and has a 14 day FreeStyle Libre attached (with 6 days left). With this current sensor, I’ve noticed him regularly hitting ‘HI’ before shots, and then only gets down to 350-400s. This is concerning me, because when he was receiving lower insulin doses, we were seeing lower highs and lows. (We just got a new bottle about two weeks ago.) He also has feline herpes, which causes chronic URI. He has some congestion currently, and has been sneezing here and there. (He finished 30 days of Doxycycline on 06/02/22.) He seems to be eating normally, and is still drinking a ton. He’s always been a vocal cat, but he cries a lot lately, waking me up throughout the night. His legs look a little wobbly, but I might just be overanalyzing his every move at this point. I’m just starting to feel a bit hopeless with the process. I’ve been in tears every day this week wondering if his time is coming soon, and how I’ll know when it’s time to say goodbye. I’m constantly worried I’m going to miss the signs of DKA. I guess I don’t have a specific question… just any advice, or words of encouragement would be appreciated. I feel like I’m struggling.

(And my apologies if this was posted on the wrong section - I’m not very familiar with using forums.)

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome Jen and Kitter to the forum. Sorry I didn't get to you sooner but I had to help a post DKA kitty. You are posting in the right place
First of all I want to say that feline diabetes is a very treatable disease. Nearly all diabetic cats eventually die from something else. I've been here for years and 'Im struggling to think of a kitty that died of just straight diabetes. They die of the usual things all cats die of.

I am going to ask you to set up a spreadsheet and add as many BG numbers as you can...if you can add a months worth that would be really helpful.
HELP US HELP YOU has the link to the spreadsheet, and the hypo kit and other information. I will ask @Bandit's Mom to pop in and see if you are managing to set up the SS on your own. She can help you with it if you are not.

Have you been doing any hometesting at all with a human meter. As the sensor is running out in 6 days I would recommend you think about starting to do the tests yourself. You can buy the ReliOn Premier Human meter at Walmart for $9 and a box of 100 test strips for $17.88. You will also need a box of lancets size 26 or 28 gauge to prick the ear, and a container of cotton rounds to put behind the ear when you test and to hold the ear afterwards for a minute.
HOMETESTING HINTS AND LINKS

He’s always been a vocal cat, but he cries a lot lately, waking me up throughout the night. His legs look a little wobbly, but I might just be overanalyzing his every move at this point. I’m just starting to feel a bit hopeless with the process.

Are you feeding him during the cycles as well as the preshot meals? DO you think he is hungry?
Are you feeding him 1/2 hour before you give the shots? You need to do this with vetsulin.
If his legs are a bit wobbly, it is most likely diabetic neuropathy which will improve when the BGs are more under control/ There is also Zobaline from lifelink.com which you can give to help it. My cat Sheba had it very badly but recovered fully once the BGs were more under control.

I’m constantly worried I’m going to miss the signs of DKA.

Are you testing for ketones in the urine at all? I would buy a bottle of ketostix from walmart of a pharmacy and test for ketones every few days. Signs of DKA are lethargy, not eating, maybe vomiting and ketones in the urine. So testing for ketones is the first line of defence.

With this current sensor, I’ve noticed him regularly hitting ‘HI’ before shots, and then only gets down to 350-400s. This is concerning me, because when he was receiving lower insulin doses, we were seeing lower highs and lows.

Without seeing a spreadsheet I cant really answer this. It is possible he could be bouncing from dropping lower as he is not used to any lower numbers now. If we can get that SS up and running that will help us a lot.

Vetsulin is not really a good insulin for cats. It is an insulin meant for dogs. I would seriously look at swapping to lantus insulin or prozinc. I like lantus myself.
Cats frequently have a much better response to one of the longer lasting more gentle insulins.

Keep posting and asking questions. Remember that FD is a treatable disease. I don't think Kitter is on the right insulin and that is one of the first things I would change if he were mine.
Bron

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

Hello and welcome to the group, sorry to hear of your struggles with Kitter. Love the name! 5 units is a LOT. And as Bron mentioned, seeing as you're having trouble getting Kitter regulated talking to your vet about trying a different insulin is something I would definitely recommend. Lantus is a much more gentle, long-lasting insulin and it has helped many many cats get regulated or even into remission. Hendrick was diagnosed in January of this year and he is currently not getting insulin at all, 4th day of no insulin and looking good. Lantus got us here, it might help Kitter too! There are generics of Lantus called Basaglar and Semglee that are very affordable as well, you don't have to buy the brand name.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB!!

What you're seeing with Vetsulin is typical. Because it is a shorter acting insulin, it's effectiveness doesn't last over the 12-hour cycle. It would be helpful to see how the test data looks. If you need help getting the spreadsheet, I'm tagging Bhooma (@Bandit's Mom) who can give you a hand with getting that set up.

I'm linking information on Vetsulin. I realize you've been using it for some time but vets typically don't provide a great deal of education. As Kyle implied, Vetsulin is not one of the insulins that the American Animal Hospital Assn recommends for treating feline diabetes due to it's short duration. Vetsulin (or Caninsulin) was developed to treat diabetic dogs and cats have a much faster metabolism than dogs. Thus, the insulin poops out and you see numbers that are much higher at your pre-shot times. Lantus (glargine) and Prozinc are the two insulins that the AAHA recommends. If you want to do some reading, this is a link to the AAHC Guidelines.

The wobbly legs may be a result of diabetic neuropathy. Two things will help. First, getting Kitter's numbers in a better range will help with neuropathy. The other way to help is to give your cat methyl-B12 (methylcobalamine). There is a product, Zobaline, that is formulated specifically for diabetic cats. It will take a while to work -- think a couple of months -- but it will help.

One other thought.... Blood glucose levels are sensitive to any source of stress. A URI is a source of stress. I'm guessing that you see higher numbers whenever Kitter is fighting off an infection. Has your vet ever thought about an immune system booster? I'm not sure what may be specific for herpes but there may be some members who have also dealt with this.

Please let us know how we can help. Like Bron said and others here will reinforce, this is a treatable condition.